swiftlessons

Robert Johnson's Signature Turnaround | Old School Blues Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Today, let's take another step in your blues guitar journey and learn from one of the original masters of the form. Robert Johnson has inspired generations of players with his brilliant songwriting, and awe-inspiring ability to combine rhythm and lead techniques. In this lesson, we'll learn a classic turnaround that is heavily inspired by his work on "Kind Hearted Woman Blues," and uncover a bit of his mysterious and enigmatic style in the process. Let's get started! -Rob...

Classic Blues Turnaround Everyone Should Know!

Hello friends,

Becoming fluent in the blues genre is all about building your vocabulary and learning how to apply each new skill across the fretboard. In this mini lesson, we'll learn one of the most used phrases within the blues language; a fundamental turnaround that can be easily transposed across all 12 keys. Let's get started!

Note: This lesson is not yet available to the public. 🤫

Tablature:

2023-04-26 01:10:14 +0000 UTC View Post

Slow & Groovy Blues Practice Routine | How to Mix Fingerstyle Licks & Rhythms!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for another fingerstyle blues tutorial. The ability to seamlessly combine rhythm and lead techniques is a hallmark of a seasoned player. In today's session we'll learn catchy phrases inspired by masters like Eric Clapton, Kirk Fletcher and Big Bill Broonzy, and how to implement them in a solo 12 bar blues performance. We'll begin with a quick demonstration of the full routine before breaking it up into four digestible sections. Let's g...

Barre Chord Exercise for Strength & Dexterity

Hello friends,

Here’s another one-minute power lesson, this time breaking down a simple exercise for developing your barre chord technique, strength, dexterity and physical awareness. We’ll begin by reviewing a few of my go-to tips for optimizing your hand positioning before attempting the challenging task of performing a minor pentatonic scale while maintaining a barre with the index finger. Let’s get started!

Suggested Barre Chords Lessons:

• 2023-04-14 23:08:39 +0000 UTC View Post

How to Strum a Guitar WITHOUT a Pick - 5 Fingerstyle Rhythm Patterns

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another rhythm guitar tutorial. In today's session you will learn common fingerstyle strumming patterns and how to sound good playing them. We'll begin by discussing the benefits of ditching the pick before learning my go-to technical tips. All in all, we will master five essential patterns that you can use for your own songwriting across different genres. Let's get started! -Rob

Note: this lesson is available for early release and i...

Angus Young Major Soloing Guitar Trick - Mixing Minor & Major Pentatonics

Hello friends,

Today I finally got back into filming YouTube shorts with this quick tutorial on how to combine maj and min pentatonic boxes. These videos are limited to just one minute in length, which definitely conflicts with my teaching style. I've always aimed to be the Bob Ross of guitar instruction, and that means teaching in a relaxed and patient manner. I'll need to work on my approach, but feel strongly that bite-sized lessons are a great way to further your progress. Let me kn...

Elvis Presley "Love Me" Guitar Lesson - Chords & Fingerstyle Strumming!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another by request song tutorial. For today's session, let's travel back to the summer of 1956 and learn another classic love song in Leiber and Stoller's "Love Me." Together we'll master the chord progressions for the verse and chorus sections, and learn to apply a percussive fingerstyle rhythm. Let's get started! -Rob

PDF Sample:

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2023-04-05 15:15:24 +0000 UTC View Post

All the Chords in the Key of D Major - You Need to Know This!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for another rhythm/music theory tutorial. In today's session we'll continue our study of major and minor keys and master both open and closed shapes in the key of D. Once we have established these seven tetrads (4 note chords) across the fretboard, we'll learn to apply them to a melodic practice routine. Let's get started!

Suggested Lessons:

• 2023-03-29 15:34:44 +0000 UTC View Post

Old School Blues Licks & Riffs - Bessie Smith "Backwater Blues"

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another old school blues tutorial. One of the best ways to diversify your skills and make your playing sound more unique is to dig into obscure tracks or to adapt techniques employed by other instrumentalist. In today's session we will do both as we master lead and rhythm techniques performed by pianist James P. Johnson on the iconic 1927 recording of "Backwater Blues." Let's get started!

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Daily Player Series | Session 9 | Pop Hit Formula II

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for session 9 of the Daily Player Series. In today's tutorial, we'll add to your chord vocabulary as we uncover the powerful 1.6.4.5 progression in the key of C. Armed with this essential chord sequence, we will then learn to apply a "Stand By Me" style arrangement and the percussive R&B strumming pattern. Let's get started!

Today's Lesson Plan:

• 1.6.4.5 in Cmaj - C, Am, F, G7.
• Basic theory review.
• "Sta...
  2023-03-08 20:13:35 +0000 UTC View Post

Skip James "Train Whistle" Lick - Now on Soundslice!

Hello friends,

It's time to level up your blues soloing game with another premium Soundslice resource. Together we'll learn to incorporate the classic train whistle technique into your solos as we master a Skip James inspired lick of the week. Practice at your own pace with adjustable playback speed, looping, and synchronized tabs. Let's get started! -Rob

P.S. Is there a past lesson from my archive that you would love to see added to the Soundslice platform? Let me know in the com...

Skip James "Train Whistle" Lick - Delta Blues Guitar Lesson

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another lead guitar tutorial. In today's session we'll add another key phrase to your blues vocabulary as we learn to incorporate the iconic "train whistle" sound into your soloing. Today's lick is heavily inspired by blues legend Skip James, but also borrows influence from Big Bill Broonzy and other delta blues artist. We'll begin this lesson with a review of the Em blues scale, before mastering two variations of this classic lick. Let's ...

New Soundslice - Clapton Lick + How to Use BB's Box!

Hey everybody,

It's time to level up your lead technique and learn to incorporate the powerful BB's Box soloing position. Today I'm so excited to share the Soundslice version of my recent tutorial breaking down how to find this useful melodic device in the context of a classic Eric Clapton lick. Click the link below to enjoy the full tutorial with synchronized tablature, looping capability, and adjustable tempo. Let's get started!

2023-02-27 16:39:22 +0000 UTC View Post

This Clapton Lick is Fire + How to Use BB's Box!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another blues guitar tutorial. For today's session, let's expand your knowledge of useful soloing positions as we add another classic phrase to your repertoire. Together we will learn to access the powerful "BB's Box" as we master an Eric Clapton inspired lick across the fretboard. Let's get started! -Rob

Enjoy the entire lesson with synchronized tabs

2023-02-25 15:52:13 +0000 UTC View Post

3 Life Changing Licks + How to Memorize Them!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for another lead tutorial. Throughout my journey as a soloist, a few techniques have stood out as truly life changing. For today's session, I've broken down 3 ear-catching licks that incorporate such concepts that have drastically enhanced my playing; string skipping, sweep picking, wide intervals, ghost notes, and melodic phrasing. I'll break down each lick note for note while revealing my secrets for mapping out the fretboard and mem...

All the Chords in the Key of Bm | Don't Skip this Lesson!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for another essential rhythm tutorial. In today's session we'll be learning the 7 must know chord shapes found within the key of B minor. I'll begin by showing you how to play these harmonies in the open position, before breaking down moveable shapes that you can transpose from key to key. Let's get started!

PDF Sample:

2023-02-16 01:51:57 +0000 UTC View Post

John Lennon "Imagine" Lesson - Now on Soundslice!

Hello friends,

In cooperation with Soundslice and Hal Leonard Publishing, I'm so happy to announce the arrival of my 2015 "Imagine" lesson to the Soundslice platform. Learn John Lennon's captivating chord progressions as I take you through the verse, chorus and bridge sections. This is a fantastic song for players looking to expand their vocabulary of chord shapes, while learning to combine beginner friendly rhythm and melodic elements. Let's get started! -Rob

2023-02-15 15:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

5 Tenets of Guitar Mastery - Learn New Skills Fast!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for a special preview of my latest Truefire course series, One Man Jam. Throughout my life as a learner, guitarist and educator, I've become familiar with many of the common pitfalls and solutions related to skill acquisition. In this chat, I will discuss what I call the "5 Tenets of Guitar Mastery" which I have used to successfully regimen practice for myself and the...

The Platters "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" Guitar Tutorial

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swift Guitar Lessons for another by request song tutorial. In celebration of this year's Valentine's Day, let's add another classic love song to our repertoires. "Smoke Get's in Your Eyes" was written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta. Since its publication, the tune has been covered by several notable artist - such as Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan - however, we will be basing our int...

Big Bill Broonzy Delta Blues Guitar Tricks - Full 12 Bar Practice Routine!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another blues guitar tutorial. For today's session, let's continue our study of old school Mississippi delta techniques, this time focusing on the playing of the great Big Bill Broonzy. Together we'll learn to navigate a 12 bar blues progression as we combine fingerstyle rhythm and lead techniques. Let's get started!

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3 Classic Delta Blues Licks - Combining Bass, Rhythm & Lead Guitar

Hello friends, 

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for a special delta blues tutorial. One of the signature elements of this iconic American style is the combined force of rhythm and lead guitar. All time greats like Lightning Hopkins, Robert Johnson, and Big Bill Broonzy had a magic ability to move seamlessly between these elements, often performing each simultaneously using fingerstyle techniques. For todays session, I will break down three classic licks that maintain a steady and driv...

Set Your Solos on Fire with this Minor Blues Scale Lick!

Hello friends,

Welcome back to Swiftlessons for another lead guitar tutorial. In today's session, let's discover an alternate way of performing our common blues scale and master an ear-catching lick utilizing speedy hammer-ons, pull-offs and bluesy embellishments. Let's get started!

Section #1 - The Minor Blues Scale

The minor blues scale is perhaps the most crucial scale utilized within the blues genre. Essentially, it is a minor pentatonic scale with the inclusion of a b...